Growing Your World

Have you ever written a bucket list? It's a list of things you want to accomplish or experience before you die (kick the bucket). Flashback to a Monty Python movie scene. I've written so many of those lists, and sadly, never kept any of them. I'd like to be able to look back at what my 14 year old self thought was important and compare it to my 28 year old self's priorities.

I remember a few of my items - get a tattoo, sky dive, make over $20/hr, have a family, get published, live in every province of Canada and at least one foreign country (changed to visit instead of live), be in a movie...I've done all but one of those.

I'm full of dreams. Always have been. My mind really doesn't shut off much, and I am constantly planning.

I wonder, though. I understand that these are MY things. Not everyone wants to travel. Not everyone cares if they skydive. But shouldn't everyone want *something*? Shouldn't dreaming be part of everybody's life?

My biggest fear is that I will become one of those people who are predictable. One of those people who get up, have cereal and toast, go to work, come home, have supper, watch TV, go to bed and start all over again in the morning. Okay, the TV shows might change from day to day. Supper is a rotation of the same 6-7 meals. When people come to visit, they find them sitting in the same chair as every other time they've visited. The conversations and stories are all the same as last time.

I couldn't imagine my life being that small.

I wonder why people live like that...fear? Apathy? Lack of energy? No money?

I don't buy it.

I love my life to be fresh. I want to be amazed. I want to learn new things. I want to see all that this world has to offer.

It doesn't have to cost a lot of money, or use up lots of energy. It's as simple as putting all your change into a pickle jar and, once full, counting it out and using it's entirety to play tourist in your own province. It's as simple as paying $2 for a city bus ticket and riding the bus it's entire route, just to see what's at the end of the line (don't worry, you can't get lost since they always make a loop). It's buying paint and a canvas at the dollar store, blasting your stereo and painting what you hear coming from the speakers. It's keeping the kids up 'til dusk to catch lightening bugs. It's walking down the ethnic food aisle and buying a packet of Indian food spice mix and following the instructions. It's driving a different route home, just to discover a new neighbourhood. It's speaking to the person in front of you in line at the grocery store. It's going for a dip in the river in your underwear because no one is around and the kids will always remember that 10 minutes.

It's about getting over yourself. It's about discovering yourself. It's about discovering your world, and making it big again.